The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-06-11
The Sunday School.
The SECOND TABLE.
EXODUS Xxx. 12-21.]

The Commandments were written by Di-
vine direction ("with the finger OF GoD')
upon two stone tablets (xxxi. 18). As to their
arrangement on the tablets the Bible contains
no other information than that "the tables
were written on both their sides" (xxxil l5).
Which were upon the first, and which upon
the second, is left to rational inference. The
commandments are readily divided into two
sections, or tables, one pertaining to the
duties to COP, the other to duties to man.
There is, however, difference of opinion
among scholars as to which division the nth
commandment properly belongs. Some emil
nent scholars maintain that the command,
"Honor thy father and thy mother" does
not refer to fellow men, but to parents as
representatives of COP in the Divine govern
ment of mankind-to the patriarchs of Israel
and to the founders, protectors and pro-
moters of spiritual life, such as prophets and
teachers, to whom paternity is sometimes
ascribed. The more natural division, how
ever, is the common one that assigns the
first four commands to the first table, and
the remaining six to the second. 1t is worthy
of notice that JESUS enumerated the fifth
with the sixth, seventh eighth and ninth, as
practical commandments Matthew xix. 10;
Mark K. 10; Luke xviii. 20).
The second table of Commandments is rel
atively as important as the first. Faithful
ness in duty to fellow men reveals capabil-
ity to serve COP. The apostle John queries:
"He that loveth not his brother whom he
hath seen, how can he love COP whom he
hath not SEEM Il John iv. 2O)?
l. Parents.-The fifth commandment is
fitting transition from duties toward COP to
duties toward men. Parents sustain SINH
lar relation to their children that GOD does
to mankind. The paternal relation Is the
completest expression of the relation of COP
to men. "He is our Father in heaven" The
ground of our highest obligations and duties
is our relation to Him as children. Our
earthly parents put us under obligations OF
similar duty to them. They should not only
be obeyed while they exercise authority over
us, but they should be affectionately honored
and reverenced always. The relation OF the
family-of parents and children-is not only
an illustration of the Divine administration,
but is an example of all government, and
suggests the duty of respect to superior au-
thority. The father was the first governor or
ruler. The fathers of Israel were the heads
and rulers of the tribes. Their authority,
under COP, must be respected if the integrity,
prosperity and permanence of the nation
would be maintained st. Paul describes the
fifth commandment as "the first command
ment with promise (Ephesians vi. p. "That
thy days may be long in the land JEHOVAH thy
COP giveth thee" is the promise. National life
rather than personal life, is probably intend
ed, though the life of individuals may be in
cluded in the promise. Reverence Tor law
and respect for constituted authorities pro-
mote the welfare of the state and insure the
stability and permanency of civil institutions
and good government. Filial reverence and
obedience may also tend to longevity. Faith
fulness to parents will promote general right
eousness of conduct and character. Long
life is promised as a reward to the righteous.
Right living promotes bodily health and pro-
longs life. Paul declares that obedience to
parents is right as we'll as expedient and
profitable (Ephesians vi. y. 1t is expedient
and profitable because it is right. 1t always
pays to do right. But to do right from prin-
ciple is nobler than for profit. To do right
for profit deprives correct life of its right
eousness, and the goodness becomes immoral
because mercenary. The hope of reward
may be properly urged as an inducement to
righteous conduct, but the more moral one
of righteous purpose is the better motive,
and should become the prime motive of life.
2. Life.-The commandment against muir
der enforces the sacredness of human life.
Life is the gift of GOD, and long life includ-
ing old age, is a special blessing from Him Il
Kings iii. 14). The command as interpreted
by JESUS Matthew v. 81, 22) forbids all
anger and feelings that grow into murderous
intent. "Whosoever hateth his brother is a
murderer" says John Il John iii. l5). 1t
may also inclnde those forms of carelessness
and uncontrolled propensity which tend to
hazard life, and hold him guilty whose acts
result in death, when self-control, prudence,
or due carefulness might have ayerted it. All
preventible death caused by carelessness in
spreading disease, or in providing for public
safety, may be included in the term murder.
Whatever is injurious to life-gluttony, in
temperance, dissipation, and all unhealthful
habits and fashions. the sale of Intoxicating
beverages and adulterated and unwholesome
food, the overworking of employees, is for
hidden by the spirit of the Sixth Command
ment 1t applies to nations and communi-
ties as well as to individuals.
3. The Fdnily.--The Seventh Command
ment upholds the sacredness of marriage,
and guards the integrity and purity of the
family and home. Marriage is the Divinely
ordained relation of the sexes, and young
people may properly look forward to fortu-
nate and happy entrance into that holy es-
tate. The family is made the basis of well
ordered human society, and upon the purity
of the home depends the choicest virtues and
graces, as well as joys of our social life.
Without pure homes the Church and State
are alike endangered. By the Saviour's in
depreciation Matthew v. "a, 28) the COM
mand is made to include all impure thoughts
and desires. All unchaste conduct and Ian
guage, all corrupting society, books and
pictures, everything that can faint the purity
of life, and especially endanger the peace
and permanency of the family, is condemned
by this Commandment.
4. Property.-The right of property is rec
ognized and protected by the Eighth Com
mandment. 1t forbids all frauds and dis
honesties by which property or money is
obtained from another without giving fair